Maplewood State Park

24 posts in this topic

cliffy 0

My wife and I had yesterday off...and thought we would go back to Lida to visit family. We spent the better part of the day just walking around Maplewood State Park. The best fall colors are still a few weeks away...but what a nice day...we only ran into two other people the entire day. I thought I would just post a few pics for fun...

Share this post

Link to post

Share on other sites

cliffy 0

I found a panoramic setting on my camera...and I was able to put three photos together...just seeing if it looks ok...this is the dock at Beers lake in Maplewood..and that is my wife looking at the sunfish......

Share this post

Link to post

Share on other sites

DEADhead 0

did it look like the emergent vegetation was starting to recede a little on the lakes in maplewood? what about the lilly pads? debating whether or not to head head down to my little fishing hole, but don't feel like fighting the "weeds" from shore

Share this post

Link to post

Share on other sites

cliffy 0

The veg looked like it had not started to recede...if it had, it was not by much. The only lake we visited up close was Beers...and of course Lida..the swimming beach area. I couldnt tell ya about Bass or any other spots.

Share this post

Link to post

Share on other sites

DEADhead 0

you can fish the lakes in Maplewood during a species open season. Only the main roads are plowed, and even still, they are not always that good. I would suggest a four wheel drive vehicle to get where you are going, as the hilly roads get quite icy. Also, since it is a State Park, no motorized vehicles allowed (other than cars) inthe park, i.e. no snowmobiles. It can be difficult to get to many of the lakes in Maplewood during the winter; however it is well worth it, since they do not recieve the pressure many of the other area lakes get, due to the non-motorized access issue.

Good luck!

Share this post

Link to post

Share on other sites

Cicada 4

Fished Beers in the winter. Back when it had a good population of walleyes, you could get a bunch in a very short time as the sun set. Caught only one muskie through the ice. It was a blast and there were two of them eyeing my bait at the same time. There used to be a decent crappie bite late in the year. They did plow the road leading to Beers.

Bass lake can be a lot of fun when trout season opens. Not a very big lake so if there's not a lot of snow on the ice, you can "troll" the lake.

Big Grass can have some real nice panfish in it. I think the stock it from panfish taken from Beers.

All three of these are along the main road that they have plowed in the past.

I seem to remember a snowmobile trail that goes through the park. I may be wrong on that. Also, there is a township road that doesn't get much maintenance that the township won't turn over to the park. You may be able to use snowmobiles there in the winter. Again, I'm not positive about this.

Share this post

Link to post

Share on other sites

cliffy 0

I agree with what has already been stated..but would like to add that there are snowmobile trails in the park. If I remember correctly, most do not go directly to the lakes mentioned...maybe I am wrong...just going by my memory on this one.

Share this post

Link to post

Share on other sites

DEADhead 0

I guess I am wrong about the no snowmobile comment. I looked at the maps for Maplewood and there are snowmobile trails in the park that are groomed weekly. I can't vouch for use on lakes though, you might have to stay on the trail? I still believe you can't use sleds on Bass lake, I thought I recall seeinga no snowmobile sign leading down to the carry-in access. I'll have to make it down there soon and post what I see.

Link to post

Share on other sites

Cheeser 0

I'm not so concerned about the roads being closed, as I would be on snowmobile anyway. However, deviating from a marked trail, even to go down an unplowed road in a State Park can be frowned upon by the DNR. I will be up there in a week or so, perhaps I'll ask the ranger (or CO, there always seems to be one watching things pretty closely) for clarification. They may even know if and which roads will be plowed.

Share this post

Link to post

Share on other sites

DEADhead 0

yeah I've been looking at getting a nice one-man shelter; either that or find a harness to pull the yukon with.

Scott, season's still open for trout in lakes through end of Oct. you should grab your otter or kayak and hit bass with the flyrod. I'll be getting out there in a few weeks, once the emergent vegetation has subsided a bit. Otherwise you fight snags all the time...

Went out yesterday after the wake and visitation with Finn. He flushed two hens and I saw him chasing a rooster but I am not fast enough to keep up. It flushed about a hundred yards out from me. We seen one grouse but it flushed 60 yards in front of Finn and he was only 10 yards infront of me. Then Finn started going crazy so he headed into the cat tails and wow 50 or so mallards flew at me and then 7 big swans. Finn did not look happy that I just watched them. It was a fun little trip.
Anyone else Lise out there chasing birds yet?

Quick question, we have never come up in the winter, but it's my understanding the ice is usually questionable around Oak Narrows and Timbuktu. Does anyone know what the ice is usually like in Birch Narrows (West Hinsdale) and Smarts Bay (SW area Hinsdale) around the Retreat Lodge Area which is where our island property is.
Thanks for any insight